The Little Red Hen - Aberly's EC2 Class presents.

Aberly's class were broken into groups and each prepared a short "play" of a fairy tale.  Aberly's group did 'The Little Red Hen'. In typical pre-school fashion, the play was awkward and totally hard to hear, but the kids were adorable. 

Here are a few cute photos of Aberly in action.

 

I went and got Eunice and Em to watch the show.  Em was THRILLED to get to visit Aberly's class.

And while you can't hear Aberly or anyone say much of anything, you can watch the video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwVpQ7U67HQ

And a few photo updates from our last month...

 

The heat is here (over 100 F daily).  We do our best to keep cool.  Swimming is our best bet right now!  Unfortunately, we do stay inside much more and watch more videos...

 

Birthday party fun with our friends!

 

Happy days at school for Aberly.  She and her friends love dressing up as princesses.

At the end of April our school hosted the SAISA league Track and Field meet.  As the Athletic Secretary, this is my big time of year helping to prepare and plan many aspects of the tournament weekend.  It was a TON of work, but with my AD (Luther), we pulled it off!

 

A visit from my loves.

 

Emalyn watches Daddy's throwers (Colin is the head coach for Track and Field)

 

Emalyn wanted to run the track between races.

We had a super fun weekend at the Shangri-la the first weekend in May with GeeGee (Nancy).  She came over from India for one last hurrah with us in Oman.

 

Riding the lazy river.

 

Emalyn loved swimming with me.

 

Splash pad!

 

So much fun, mommy!
 

Em and Colin check out the view from our room.

 

 

I had a fun evening at the annual TAISM Ball.  It was fun to hang with so many friends and coworkers.

 

I surprised Eunice with a trip to the Opera House to see a ballet.  We had a great evening.

Coming home

Life has been passing by so quickly these past few weeks and it's hard to believe we'll be moving back less than a month.  The reality of it is hitting!

A lot of people have been wondering what we'll be doing, why we are moving home, and so forth.  In a short answer, it's simply to give Colin a year off from teaching to see if he can start a new career in the field of writing.  While teaching has been a good career these past nine years, writing is his passion and love.  He also loves the outdoors and being in nature, so he's yearned for a job that would allow him more time to get out there and enjoy it.   With a full time job and two kids, he has been unable to write like he would hope he can.  Removing the full time job allows him this time and the opportunity to really evaluate what he would like to pursue for the next 5+ years.

Who knows, as Colin has said, he might go back to teaching some day.  But for now, he needs this break.  This sabbatical.  A mini retirement.  A change.

Another reason we are moving is that we miss home.  While living in Oman has been AMAZING in so many, many ways, we are Pacific Northwest people.  We like gray skies and drizzly days.  We want to put on sweaters, pants, and boots.  The stormy ocean and misty forests call to us.  We miss green.  Lots of it.  We miss the mountains, the snow, the seasons.  We mostly miss Fall.

We also want to garden and grow some vegetables.  Colin is ready to brew beer again.  We want to take care of our own home again.  To go to Farmers Markets, to get outside and hike/camp/paddle.  While we have savored the ability to travel to other countries while living overseas, we want to explore more of the US.  There is a lot to see there.

Back home is also wonderful friends and family who we miss seeing.  With Aberly and Emalyn still young and fun, we want them to be around their grandparents, uncles, and aunt (just one right now), and eventual cousins.  It's been hard to miss big events back home, like my best friend having both her kids.  

So what will we do when we get back?  Well, that's a bit of an unknown, but that is exciting.  There are lots of opportunities and options during this year of transition.

We'll settle back in this summer and do lots of the fun things Oregon has to offer.  We'll be grateful when August rolls around and we don't have to pack up again. Aberly will start kindergarten.  Colin will figure out what his writing schedule will look like.  He'll do some odd jobs, like subbing and being a waiter, to keep income coming in (we have saved a lot but will still work a bit).  I'll be home part of the day with Emalyn and then see if I can pick up some part time work myself to earn some money.  We'll use our flexible schedule to visit more relatives we haven't seen for a long time.  Take a few road trips.  We'll live.

And we'll be excited to see all of you back home that are reading this, and we'll miss all of you here that are reading this.  It's bittersweet leaving.  While there are so many things we are excited about in moving home, we are sad to leave such a great school community here, we are sad to leave the friends we've made outside of the school.

But that is life.  People come and go.  Especially in the international system.  But technology will keep us connected and we don't believe, truly, that leaving people here will be the end of our friendships.  We hope, and will work, to stay connected and visit people when the opportunities arise.  And we really hope they will.

So there it is.  There's the story.  At least some of it.  But I hope that helps answer some questions, gives reasons, and shares were we are in life and were we hope to go. 

I'm 2!

It's been a whirlwind of a month, and Emalyn's 2nd birthday came and went like a flash.  But it was a fun day with some of her fun little friends.

I have to admit I felt guilty the night before her birthday.  My mental energy had been so focused on Easter and some other events earlier that week that her birthday really snuck up on me.  Luckily, I had at least put out the little party invite a few weeks prior and there were people coming.  I knew that Emalyn would have no idea that I had put so little thought into her birthday, but still, I felt like I had failed just a little bit as as mom.  Thankfully, the day went really well and those feelings of guilt went away quickly.

So yes, we now have a two year old who is growing, changing, talking more and more, and entertaining us throughout each day.   She is fiery, joyful, passionate, vocal, and loving.  She loves being with us and her big sissy, she loves going places (go go car???), and she is so excited by the world around her.  She is such a blessing to our family!

 

Happy Birthday morning!  Pancakes!

 

It's my party!  I'm super cute in the crown Aberly mede me.

 

Snacks with friends (Bend and Cooper)

 

 

Time to swim and play in the sprinkler!

 

I'm having so much fun!

 

I'm pretty sure if you look at my photo album as a child, my 1st or 2nd birthday party looks like this.  Naked babes in a pool.

 

Blowing out candles.

 

I did it!

 

Family photo

 

The "big kid" attendees

 

Aberly was a good helper.

 

One of many fun presents. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO OUR SWEET EMALYN HOPE!

Please don't take my sunshine away

Aberly has enjoyed singing "You are my Sunshine" lately.  Emalyn got a book for her birthday that is that song, so that is how she learned it.  She also requested I sing it to her at night.

Tonight, Em went to bed early due to some bug she's picked up, so Aberly and I were having some time together doing puzzles and then we were going to play a board game.  We sang our song again, and then I gave her a hug and a nuzzle and said, "I love you SO MUCH.  I would be so sad if something ever happened to you, or Emalyn, or daddy."

She went over to get the board game while I finished up her puzzle.  When she came back, she kind of huddled into the couch and was very quiet.  I thought she was just being patient while I put the last few pieces in her puzzle.  I looked a bit more carefully and realized she was all teared up.

I asked her what was wrong and she started to cry harder, but all the while trying to stifle her tears.  I pulled her into my lap and gave her a big hug, asking her to tell me what was going on.   Through a very choked up voice she finally got out that she was sad because I said how I would be sad if something bad happened.  I asked her if she was sad to think about something bad happening to one of us or us being gone.  That got the water works really going as she nodded her head yes.

I realized at that moment how much her ability to think had changed.  It also made me realize how much she is like me; a mind that worries and wonders.  One that is emotional and sensitive.  I have distinct memories of being overcome with anxiety and tears when I thought about heaven was "forever" and that there would be no end.  I was around 2nd or 3rd grade.  My poor mom.

As I sat there hugging Aberly, I wanted to comfort her in so many ways.  I wanted her to know we would keep her and Emalyn safe.  That we wouldn't leave her.  I told her those things.  But I also wanted her to know that it was okay to think about those things and that she wasn't alone.  But I was limited on how much I could say without making her worry more.

I told her that she could always talk to me and Daddy about her feelings when they were sad or scary.  That even we got sad or scary thoughts.   "Really, even now as a grown up?" she responded.  Oh yeah.  But I couldn't tell her about what.

I couldn't tell her what I worry about each and every day.  About her or Emalyn being hurt or dying.  That I fear that me or Colin will die unexpectedly.  That anyone of us gets a deadly disease.  That I consider not doing things to avoid potential injury.  That I worry about dying in our next plane ride home.  That something will happen to my parents or brother.  That I fear for the future of our planet because of climate change.  That I hurt for the already injured and dying because of climate change and war.  That I still think about the afterlife and eternity.  That what if there is nothing and this is it?  That I get overwhelmed by existence.

How could I tell her all that?  She doesn't need any more to worry about.  It will come in time.

For now, I will hug her tight when the thoughts come on occasion.  I know most of the time she will be okay.  But if she is like me, and I know she is, there will be times when she is hit with deep thoughts and worries.  Things that make her mind spin.  And I'll be there.  Colin and I will be there.

Our Last Easter in Oman

Knowing we are moving, we've found that so many things we do this year get the "last" adjective attached to them.  This was one of them.

Easter in Oman has always been pretty low key.  We've never gone to church on Easter here because it is CRAZY busy and most of the services are early.  It's also pretty warm this time of year, so we've kept egg hunting inside to prevent any melting candy.  And we don't really have much outdoor space to hide the eggs, so indoors works best.  We've kept our holiday to hunting for eggs, an Easter basket, dying eggs, and lunch/brunch.  Luckily, Aberly does know why we celebrate Easter, despite us having a very non-religious Easter experience. 

This year was out most fun Easter to date.  Emalyn LOVED everything we did for Easter as well, and was an active, and excited, participant.  Aberly really enjoyed it as well, and even told me this was the best Easter we've ever had.

 

Prepping the dye for eggs.

 

Two happy girls.  Emalyn was ready to put eggs in the cups every second.  You can see we didn't catch her fast enough and she got two eggs in the purple cup.

 

  

Very proud of her eggs.

 

Writing a card for the Easter Bunny and leaving him some snacks. 

  

Aberly was up at 6:15 and what a sweetie, she patiently played in her room on the iPad until the rest of us got up at 7:00 to search for eggs.

 

I have to give her credit, she found some eggs I didn't expect her to!

 

Look, eggs!!!

 

Checking out their Easter basket.  Emalyn was all about the little chocolates.  She ate two before we could stop her before breakfast.  Hey, it's once a year.

 No pictures of it, but we had a really nice brunch at the Wood's house this year.   The girls happily ate and played with friends while the adults ate, chatted, and sipped on mimosas.

 

Our last event of the day was a little scavenger hunt at school that one of our co-workers organized for staff kiddos.  The kids had fun searching the school for the goodies.  Here is Aberly with two good buddies, Marin and Izzy.

 

Emalyn was just happy to get more treats!

HAPPY EASTER!

WE HOPE YOURS WAS BLESSED AS WELL.

"Do we dare do it again?"

After our rough go of camping last time, we were very uncertain if camping here in Oman would happen again.  If you missed the story of our last trip, let's just say Colin and I don't think we slept more than 4 hours between the two of us that night due to Emalyn's tossing and turning all night long.  It was hot and she was agitated.  At least the day was lots of fun and we were with good friends.

Fast forward to two weeks ago when we got invited to join a group going to Khaluf.  We had heard about the greatness of this place, but it was a 5-6 hour drive and everyone stayed two nights.  Between getting pregnant and having an infant, Khaluf never happened.  But this time, after some soul searching, we knew we could do it.  Other kids were going, the weather was right, and Emalyn was sleeping much better.  She was also communicating and understood us well, so that was helpful.  And this time, we were bringing two tents.  I would be with her one night and Colin could take the other.  At least we'd get one decent night's sleep.

In the end, the trip was amazing.  Emalyn slept great, they had SO much fun, the weather was perfect, and the location, breathtaking.  It was a long drive there, but we got to go through a new part of Oman that was very barren and interesting to see and we got stopped in two smaller towns that were much more traditional.

Here are some photos from our trip (poor Abs and Em, they have no idea what beaches away them in Oregon)

 

To get to the camping spot, we had to do some beach driving.  It's all about the tides and hitting the sand when it's right.  It was not my favorite thing (didn't want to get stuck and have to work out way out), but it was still beautiful.   Colin had lots of fun driving.

 

Our camping spot and view.  Sigh.  However, trash from the ocean still abounds on the water line, sadly. 

 

Our happy campers quickly got their suits on, grabbed the beach toys, and started digging in.

 

Behind the this beach is the highlight of the area.  The Dunes.  

Here is our view towards the ocean from the top of the dune. 

 

And here is the side view from the top... And then...

 

Wow.  I hadn't had my breath taken away in a really long time.  I wasn't expecting this.   One of the things things that surprised me was over the first hill, even though we were still by the ocean, the way the wind moved, you couldn't hear it anymore.  And it was QUIET.  So quiet.  I had to close my eyes and just listen because it's so rare to get just quiet anymore.

 

The girls were in heaven.

 

The loved running down the hills.

 

Emalyn, well, she honestly would've kept on walking and it someone wasn't with her, we would've lost her.  I followed her for quite awhile and we got a good ways out before  I finally convinced her to go back.

 

Hi, sandy girl!

 

Sunset the first night.   Watching from the ridge.

 

Enjoying a moment without the kids.  We love them, but having them occupied and not needing us in this beautiful moment made it all the more beautiful!

 

Them being beautiful in the moment. 

 

Good morning!  Waking with the sun and cuddling.

 

A day of sun and sand, but also some shade time and relaxing.

 

Dune jumping.

 

Whee!

 

My little monkey.  A rare moment she wanted off the dunes.

 

Happy beach buddies.

 

 The girls at the 2nd night sunset.

 

The big girls at sunset.  Thanks, ladies, for such a fun time and your friendship!  Three of us in this photo leaving next year (Nancy, far right, and Theresa in black next to her)  

 

 Finally, I snapped these two photos the morning we were leaving because the tide had washed in tons of dead fish.  They were mostly these first ones and some odds and ends, like the 2nd.  Fishing practices involving by-catch are supposed to be illegal here, but this definitely looked like someone had dumped a bunch of stuff they didn't want.  

Well, right before we left, like, literally 10 minutes before planned departure, I went down towards the water to ask a friend a question.  I got distracted and then went to switch directions in my walking and I immediately felt a sharp pain in my right foot below my big toe. I had been jabbed by a spine on the dorsal fin of this first type of fish.  It was a nerve wracking 10 minutes as we worried if I would have a reaction to poison.  Luckily, nothing happened besides the pain around the wound and some mild nausea.  I'm sure some of it was my adrenaline pumping with my mild anxiety.  Honestly, it was almost an hour to get out of the area and to the nearest town where there would be a doctor if needed.

Nothing happened, thankfully, and after getting home and researching "poisonous fishes of Oman", I figured out that the fish were sea catfish, which are poisonous, but not deadly (normally).  The 2nd fish is probably some type of puffer or box fish, according to our friend.  So, our theory is that someone dumped all these poisonous fish that had been caught.  Luckily no one else was hurt by them, and luckily, they came in with the night tide and no one in our group got hit by them while swimming.  

From the look on the fish's face in the 2nd photo, I should've known I was cursed for taking pictures of the dead!

All in all, it was a great trip and we are so thankful we did it.

Since returning, we have sold most of our camping supplies.  Since the weather is hot and we won't camp again before moving, we knew it was time.  We don't have space to bring it all back and honestly, it's time to upgrade for having two kids and camping in Oregon.